‘It’s hard not to blur the lines’: Educational psychologists’ experiences of being a parent and a practicing psychologist

Kerry, Elin 2026. ‘It’s hard not to blur the lines’: Educational psychologists’ experiences of being a parent and a practicing psychologist. DEdPsy Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

The role of Educational Psychology is one which has developed over the years (Love, 2009), and practitioners in Wales are guided by what is expected of them in their role (Welsh Government, 2025). Despite an interest in the developing role of Educational Psychology, research into how the role can impact on other aspects of a practitioner’s life is limited, moreover the role of being a parent or carer. This study explores the views of Educational Psychologists who are both parents and practitioner psychologists, to understand how they make sense of the ways these dual roles shape their understanding of parenting and their professional practice. Previous literature has touched briefly on how some professions are interpreting these roles (Cousins, 2016), however limited research has explored this concept with Educational Psychologists. Five participants who are practicing Educational Psychologists in Wales took part in individual semi-structured interviews online, and their accounts were transcribed and analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2022). The findings of the study can be understood by five main themes; Different paths but the same journey, Practice what you Preach, When Two Worlds Collide, Sharing is Caring and I Get it Now. Within these themes participants reflected on both the tensions and opportunities that the dual roles of parenting and practicing psychology can present. Implications for practice are highlighted on both individual practitioner and the wider profession level, and suggestions for future research include exploring the topic from alternative perspectives.

Item Type:	Thesis (DEdPsy)
Date Type:	Submission
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Psychology
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	3 September 2026
Last Modified:	03 Sep 2026 16:03
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/189365

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